Sports

Monday Morning Quarterback: The Good, The Bad Of Week 16

Matchup

The Good

The Bad

Philadelphia Eagles

Chicago Bears

Nick Foles was razor sharp as the Eagles did whatever they wanted to against the overmatched Bears. Foles completed 21-of-25 passes for 230 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions as the Eagles were never challenged.

Jay Cutler was ineffective against the Eagles’ 30th-rated defense. He completed 20-of-35 passes for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception as he was unable to spark the Bears in a game that could have given them the NFC North title.

The Pats bounced back with a huge win following their Week 15 loss to the Dolphins. Tom Brady was not required to throw the ball all over the field as the Pats' running game was excellent. Brady completed 14-of-26 passes for 172 yards with one TD and he was not intercepted.

Joe Flacco may not admit it, but he was troubled by an MCL injury that limited his ability to move around the pocket. He completed 22-of-38 passes for 260 yards, but he did not throw a TD pass while throwing two interceptions.

Philip Rivers came through with another solid showing as the Chargers took care of business against a team that is struggling badly. Rivers completed 19-of-29 passes for 201 yards with one TD and one interception. He avoided major errors, and that was what was needed in this game.

Matt McGloin played with effort and was moderately effective, but the Raiders were not able to pull off the upset. McGloin completed 20-of-36 passes for 206 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. That wasn’t enough to keep the Raiders in the game for 60 minutes.

Ben Roethlisberger kept pushing the pace and the Steelers came away with the huge road victory. Roethlisberger knows the Steelers don’t have a great chance to make the playoffs, but they are still alive. Roethlisberger completed 16-of-28 passes for 167 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Roethlisberger also scored on a 13-yard TD run.

Matt Flynn is feisty and he never stopped trying to get the Packers the win, but the play-calling and penalty at the end of the game did not give his team the opportunity to push the game into overtime. Flynn completed 21-of-39 passes for 232 yards with one TD and one interception.

Perhaps the most shocking development of the Week 16 games was that the Cardinals defeated the Seahawks on their homefield. Carson Palmer struggled throughout as he completed 13-of-25 passes for 178 yards with four interceptions, but he threw the game-winning TD pass to Michael Floyd late in the fourth quarter to give the Cardinals the shocking upset.

Russell Wilson tasted defeat on his homefield for the first time in his career as he completed 11-of-27 passes for 108 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The good moments have been few and far between for Eli Manning this season, but his performance was solid vs. the inept Lions. He completed 23-of-42 passes for 256 yards with one TD and one interception. He led the Giants on the game-winning drive in overtime, and that allowed Manning to leave the field with his head held high.

Matthew Stafford and Lions lost another game that they needed to win, and Stafford’s fourth-quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown allowed the Giants to tie the game and send it to overtime. Stafford completed 25-of-42 passes for 222 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

With the season on the line, Tony Romo came through with the big throw when the Cowboys needed it most. His fourth-down TD pass to DeMarco Murray late in the fourth quarter gave the Cowboys the victory over the struggling Redskins. Romo completed 17-of-27 passes for 226 yards with two TD passes and one interception.

Kirk Cousins led the Redskins to a very competitive effort as he completed 21-of-36 passes for 197 yards with one TD and one interception. However, it was not enough to get the Redskins their fourth win of the season.

Geno Smith has struggled throughout his rookie season, but he kept his cool in this game and played one of his best games. Smith completed 20-of-36 passes for 214 yards with two touchdowns and he did not throw an interception. Smith also ran for a touchdown.

Jason Campbell couldn't figure out the Jets’ defense. He completed 18-of-39 passes for 178 yards. He did not throw a TD pass and he threw an interception.

Andrew Luck was on top of his game as he completed 26-of-37 passes for 241 yards with a touchdown. He did not throw an interception or fumble.

A week after leading the Chiefs to 56 points against the Raiders, Alex Smith had a tough day against the Colts. Smith completed 16-of-29 passes for 153 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also fumbled...twice.

Andy Dalton was on top of his game as the Bengals easily disposed of the Vikings. Dalton completed 27-of-38 passes for 366 yards with four TDs and no interceptions. Dalton has been inconsistent this season, but he dominated against the Vikings.

Matt Cassel struggled against the aggressive Bengals defense. He completed 13-of-27 passes for 114 yards with one TD and three interceptions.

Cam Newton did not have one of his better games, but he came through when the game was on the line late in the fourth quarter. Newton threw the game-winning TD pass in the final minute of the game and he completed 13-of-22 passes for 181 yards.

Drew Brees was under pressure throughout the game. He threw for 281 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw two interceptions. Brees was unable to deliver the victory when the NFC South was on the line.

Thad Lewis led the Bills to a win over the Dolphins as he got the start because E.J. Manuel (knee) could not suit up. Lewis has limited skills, but he completed 15-of-25 passes for 193 yards and he only threw one interception.

Ryan Tannehill had been largely responsible for turning the Dolphins around with a late-season surge. However, it looked like he was playing against the 1985 Bears in this game. Tannehill completed 10-of-27 passes for 82 yards and he did not make the most of his opportunity.